LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, December 19, 2011

Christmas Collection Part Three

I may have mentioned that we have a lot of the Byers Carolers.  Fortunately we have them spread over the house so they are not overwhelming.

These are the street vendors, including Molly Malone and her kitty.  I think my favorite is the organ grinder with his little monkey holding a cup.  My dear husband made a slip of the tongue one year and called him the "monkey grinder."  In our family we remember things like that for a long time.  Perhaps it is because he seldom makes such a misstatement so we have to rely on the few he does.  Not a Christmas goes by without mention of the monkey grinder, usually more than once.






These are the villagers, including the lamplighter.  The nurse figure was the first Caroler that we had, a gift from our son.






 Once again I am posting a photograph that someone sent me and I cannot credit.  But I think it does emphasize that Christmas is a time of peace,  misinterpreted as piece.



Well dear readers, I wore my lucky Packer shirt.  My son and his wife ate tacos at halftime for the fourteenth week in a row.  But somebody dropped the ball and the Green Bay Packers lost their first game yesterday.  Actually, more than one person dropped the ball.  Unfortunately they were playing on the field and couldn't hold on to Aaron Rodgers passes that hit them in the numbers.  So, Suz, you can relax.  The shirt is in the dirty clothes.  I'm hoping that washing it will restore the good luck for the next game.

17 comments:

The Bug said...

I love your carolers - too cute! And aren't inside jokes the best?

That billboard is just NOT right - sheesh!

Sorry about the Packers - I thought about you guys yesterday when I heard about the game.

Taradharma said...

hmmm. ground monkey. that does call for a red wine or a white?

i cannot fathom the whole philosophy behind that christmas ad campaign. looks like a joke from Saturday Night Live or National Lapoon. soooo weird.

Karin said...

Those carolers are a real treasure!!

Rudee said...

Monkey grinders? lol.

I love the billboard! It's so funny in an odd little way.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Carolyn, Just stopping by to say Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Love seeing all of your collections.. Awesome!

Love,
Betsy

Vicki Lane said...

What a fine collection! And Iloved the Golden Girl in their full relaxation mode.

Andrea said...

Those are beautiful collections! But I wonder what a monkey grinder is. Is it a monkey handling the grinder, or a machine grinding the monkey! hahaha. Merry Christmas and happy holidays for you and your family. Have fun!

KB said...

The "monkey grinder" has me giggling!

As for that photo, you'd be amazed by how many people around here get guns for Christmas. Just after Christmas is a scary time to be in the woods because they all drive up here from the city to "try out their new guns" by shooting at beer bottles. Holy Moly... I don't get it. However, after more than a decade living here, I've learned that guns are an inevitable part of life here. I just wish that more people were given gun safety courses with their guns...

Ms. A said...

That's a LOT of carolers! I love it when something, even a misspeak, can make a memory that keeps on going!

animal lover, quilt lover said...

I or I should say we have never seen any carolers except on TV or in books-- never in person.
Merry merry Christmas to you and your family dear friend, Zoie & Fern

Arkansas Patti said...

Hand guns for Christmas?? Oh well.
Sorry about your Packers. I follow the Dolphins so we get panicky each year as a team goes undefeated. However, this year, I wouldn't have minded too much as I really like the Packers. If you have to lose a record, best to someone you respect.
Next year??

George said...

Thanks for sharing your carolers with us (and the monkey grinder story). I'm sorry your Packer shirt didn't work Sunday, but another Super Bowl title should make it possible to forget this unfortunate game.

Anonymous said...

I recognize some of those carolers--their twins are here! Unfortunately, a few of mine are missing their nose from a tragic squirrels-in-the-attic tragedy when we lived in Memphis.

That billboard. . . OMG!!!

NCmountainwoman said...

Bug - Actually, I'm sort of glad they have a loss behind them. But they must win on Christmas Day to have home-field advantage for the playoffs.

Tara - Too funny

KB - Same here. People are now allowed to carry guns in the National Forest and it really frightens me. No telling when someone will shoot at an animal or an object and the bullet will stray and hit someone on the trails.

NCmountainwoman said...

Bug - Actually, I'm sort of glad they have a loss behind them. But they must win on Christmas Day to have home-field advantage for the playoffs.

Tara - Too funny

KB - Same here. People are now allowed to carry guns in the National Forest and it really frightens me. No telling when someone will shoot at an animal or an object and the bullet will stray and hit someone on the trails.

Wayfarin' Stranger said...

Regards the billboard, don't get me started. There's simply a lot of weird people in the world, and they vote!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Monkey grinder??? Oh, that would never die in our house either. I love your collections and I really love your sense of humor. That billboard though?? Turns my stomach!!!
I would offer to wash the lucky shirt for you, but surely by now you have beat me to the punch. Better luck next year. {The taco eating is hilarious too!]